When on his game, brought very good accuracy, touch and timing to the pass attack. Strong at reading defenses and finding the open man. Managed the game well and took chances when he had to. Flashed good wheels as a scrambler.

Flaws:

Didn't have an A-plus arm, and was undersized for an NFL starting quarterback. Rarely put up the big numbers expected of a franchise passer. Lacked durability throughout his career.

Career Potential:

Above-average starting QB.

Career Honors & Awards

League

Honor

Description

NFL

Named to play in Pro Bowl

2009

Movements & Injuries

2014

3/11/2014

Declared free agent.

2013

10/21/2013

Activated from the reserve/exempt list.

10/10/2013

Re-signed by the New York Jets.

10/10/2013

Placed on the reserve/exempt list.

5/30/2013

Placed on the reserve/retired list.

5/15/2013

Announced his retirement.

3/11/2013

Signed as a free agent by the New York Jets to a one-year contract.

2012

9/04/2012

Released by the Miami Dolphins.

3/19/2012

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Miami Dolphins to a one-year contract.

2011

9/06/2011

Released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2010

12/30/2010

Finger injury, injured reserve.

10/22/2010

Concussion, out.

2008

4/07/2008

Signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars to a seven-year contract extension.

2007

10/25/2007

Ankle injury, out.

2005

4/21/2005

Signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars to a three-year contract extension.

Career Transactions

2013

3/11/2013

Signed as a free agent by the New York Jets.

2012

3/19/2012

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Miami Dolphins.

2002

4/21/2002

Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 4th round (108th overall) in 2002.

The Jets didn't have any players listed as questionable or out on the Week 16 injury report. Garrard is the No. 3 quarterback behind Geno Smith and Matt Simms.

David Garrard not being considered to start | 12/02/2013 2:45 PM

News

According to ESPN New York's Rich Cimini, David Garrard "doesn't appear to be a factor right now" in the Jets' Week 14 quarterback decision.

Rich Cimini on Twitter

Impact

Cimini's "understanding" is that the decision will come down to Geno Smith or Matt Simms. Signs are now pointing toward Geno getting another start, in which he figures to again be on a short in-game leash. Garrard himself told reporters Monday that Smith will likely get the Week 14 start against the Raiders.

Schefter: Jets could turn to David Garrard | 12/02/2013 10:52 AM

News

ESPN's Adam Schefter stated on SportsCenter early Monday that "it would not be an upset" if the Jets turned to David Garrard at quarterback for Week 14.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Quietly signed off the street on October 10, Garrard was activated from the Exempt List later in the month and has been sitting on the Jets' weekly inactives list since. Geno Smith has hit rock bottom and then some, and Matt Simms didn't spark the Jets' offense off the bench in Sunday's embarrassing loss to Miami. At this point, 35-year-old Garrard is simply the team's best option. He also has internal support from first-year GM John Idzik.

Jets add Garrard to active roster, cut Quinn | 10/21/2013 4:26 PM

News

Jets activated QB David Garrard from the exempt list.

Chris Mortensen on Twitter

Impact

Signed two weeks ago, Garrard's roster exemption was set to expire. He slides in as Geno Smith's backup ahead of Matt Simms. The Jets have released Brady Quinn in a corresponding roster move. Garrard "retired" in May after he couldn't get his balky knee right, but stayed in shape. In theory, he's a more viable No. 2 than Quinn, but that's provided his body actually allows him to play. Simms is No. 3 on the depth chart.

Jets sign David Garrard to exempt list | 10/10/2013 10:54 AM

News

Jets signed QB David Garrard and placed him on the Exempt List.

Rotoworld.com

David Garrard was struggling to drive ball | 05/19/2013 8:57 AM

News

ESPN New York reports David Garrard was struggling to "drive the ball" on longer passes before his retirement.

ESPN New York

Impact

Garrard had been missing workouts, and "bounced some passes." In other words, his knee troubles weren't only evident to him. The Jets' main quarterback question is no longer "who will start," but "Mark Sanchez or Greg McElroy?" The Jets deemed McElroy a better option than Sanchez down the stretch last season, and could do so again unless they can't stomach the idea of releasing a player guaranteed $8.5 million. In terms of skill, the entire organization knows the Sanchez experiment is over.

Garrard: Jets offered me coaching job | 05/17/2013 2:44 PM

News

Retired QB David Garrard says the Jets have offered him a coaching-intern opportunity for 2013 training camp.

ESPN New York

Impact

Garrard is strongly considering the chance to coach, which confirms his retirement at age 35 is for real. "The Jets offered me the chance to come back if I want to take a shot at that coaching thing with an internship in training camp," Garrard said. "I told them I'd talk with my wife about it, so I could still work with those guys. It's definitely something I'm considering."

David Garrard retiring because of knee issues | 05/15/2013 4:37 PM

News

Updating an earlier item, Jets QB David Garrard is retiring because of complications with his surgically-repaired knee.

Adam Schein on Twitter

Impact

"My knee is not holding up," Garrard texted NFL.com's Adam Schein. "Continuing to swell after practices. Limiting what I can do." Garrard was No. 1 on the Dolphins' depth chart last summer before undergoing a supposedly "minor" knee procedure. The injury ended up costing him roster spot, while he made no free-agent visits during the regular season. Garrard's retirement throws the Jets' quarterback situation back into chaos, and creates the very real possibility they will be forced to keep Mark Sanchez and his $8.5 million salary as insurance for second-round pick Geno Smith. Garrard finishes his nine-year, 86-game career with 16,003 passing yards, an 85.8 QB rating and 89:54 TD:INT ratio.

Report: Jets and David Garrard parting ways | 05/15/2013 4:13 PM

News

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports David Garrard has told teammates he "no longer plans to be with the Jets."

Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Impact

Garrard told NFL.com's Jeff Darlington he'll comment on the situation "maybe tomorrow or the next day." It's unclear if Garrard is being released or retiring. Garrard was expected to compete for the Jets' No. 1 or 2 job, but now 35 years old, he hasn't attempted a pass since December 26, 2010. Garrard has been slowed by back issues since 2011, and saw his Dolphins' roster bid cut short by knee surgery last summer. Garrard's departure greatly increases the chances the Jets will keep Mark Sanchez and his $8.5 million salary.

NFL exec predicts Garrard will start Week 1 | 05/07/2013 12:02 PM

News

One rival NFL executive predicted to NFL Network's Kim Jones that David Garrard will be the Jets' Week 1 starter if he stays healthy.

Kim Jones on Twitter

Impact

At age 35, Garrard is an obvious health risk after undergoing knee and back surgeries over the past two offseasons. The Dolphins released Garrard last September 4, and he spent 2012 out of football. While the Jets' quarterback job is wide open to competition, we believe Garrard is a longer shot than both Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith. The best preseason QB will start on Opening Day.

David Garrard will get chance to start | 03/14/2013 11:47 PM

News

David Garrard says the Jets promised him a chance to start when he signed his one-year, $1.1 million contract.

Sports Radio Interviews

Impact

The deal includes a $100,000 signing bonus, so Garrard could be anything from the Jets' starter to back on the street by Week 1. "When I talked to everybody, I was given - without a doubt - the idea that I had every shot to be the starting quarterback," Garrard said. Garrard is the slight favorite to start over Mark Sanchez, though that could change if Kevin Kolb becomes available.

Jets make it official and sign David Garrard | 03/11/2013 5:32 PM

News

Jets signed QB David Garrard.

Rotoworld.com

Panthers may go after David Garrard | 03/09/2013 8:03 PM

News

The Charlotte Observer considers free agent QB David Garrard a possibility for the Panthers.

Charlotte Observer

Impact

With Derek Anderson not expected to be re-signed, the Panthers could go with Garrard as a cheap backup for Cam Newton next season. The Jets worked out Garrard last week but he's yet to receive any offers.

Garrard hasn't been contacted by Dolphins | 03/06/2013 5:47 PM

News

Free agent David Garrard would "love" to re-sign with the Dolphins, but hasn't been contacted about a potential reunion.

Miami Herald

Impact

It's notable since the Dolphins were supposedly very high on Garrard during his brief time with the team. "I love the coaching staff; I love Ryan (Tannehill)," Garrard said. With free agent Matt Moore expected to walk, the Dolphins need a new backup for Tannehill, but they'll likely go younger and healthier than Garrard.

David Garrard says Jets are 'ideal' spot | 03/05/2013 11:37 AM

News

Free agent QB David Garrard called the Jets an "ideal situation" for him.

ESPN New York

Impact

In other words, Garrard thinks he can beat out Mark Sanchez for the starting gig. He said he's healthy now after knee woes sapped his shot with the Dolphins last season and believes he aced last week's tryout. The Jets are tentatively expected to sign Garrard once they get their litany of cap woes sorted out.

No deal imminent between Jets and Garrard | 03/03/2013 8:27 PM

News

ESPN New York reports a deal between the Jets and free agent QB David Garrard is not imminent.

ESPN New York

Impact

If the two sides strike an agreement it won't be for "at least another week." Garrard reportedly has other options out there, but New York is easily his best chance at a starting job. It's fully expected that he'll end up signing and competing with Mark Sanchez and another quarterback for the starting job.

Report: Jets, Garrard expected to reach deal | 03/01/2013 11:47 AM

News

Updating an earlier item, free agent QB David Garrard "anticipates putting a deal together" with the Jets, while a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter "both sides are feeling good" about a potential deal.

Adam Schefter on Twitter

Impact

Garrard would provide cheap, experienced competition for fading "franchise quarterback" Mark Sanchez, but hasn't attempted a regular-season pass in 795 days. He turned 34 in February. Throw in his history of back issues, and it's highly unlikely Garrard would be able to hold down the fort in 2013 if he won the Jets' camp competition. He's at least an improvement on Mark Brunell and Tim Tebow. According to USA Today's Mike Garofolo, Garrard "has some interest elsewhere."

Garrard's Jets workout goes 'great' | 03/01/2013 9:39 AM

News

Free agent QB David Garrard says his workout with the Jets went "great," but that the sides are "still working out the particulars."

Manish Mehta on Twitter

Impact

It sounds like there's a real chance Garrard gets a contract. The 2010 version of Garrard would have been an upgrade on Mark Sanchez, but he's a month removed from his 34th birthday and over two years removed from his last start. The Jets are expected to add two more quarterbacks to the mix, and to subtract Tim Tebow.

Jets work out free agent QB David Garrard | 02/28/2013 3:28 PM

News

The Jets worked out free agent QB David Garrard on Thursday.

New York Daily News

Impact

Garrard, 35, was is Dolphins camp last year before a knee scope led to his release. At one point, though, he was believed to be the front-runner for the starting job. Garrard hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2010, when he started 14 games for the Jaguars and threw for 2,734 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. New York would be one of his better opportunities for a starting job.